By Sara Croymans Across the nation, Memorial Day Services are held every year to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Oftentimes, the… Continue Reading Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Have Died in Service
When families experience food insecurity, hunger may be only one result. An often-overlooked factor of insufficient access to food is the detrimental impact on mental health. Adults with low food… Continue Reading The Impact of Food Insecurity on Mental Health
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the ninth time in March 2023, bringing the federal funds rate to between 4.75% to 5%. Higher Fed rates, designed to combat high inflation, raised interest charged on loans and variable-rate credit cards but also provided an opportunity for savers to earn higher interest on deposits after more than a decade of low-interest rates.
Continue Reading High Interest Savings Options for Military Families
In 2021, 33.8 million people living in the United States were food insecure (Weeks et al, 2023). Food security is defined by the USDA as, “Access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members” (OPA). Frequent relocations, barriers to spousal employment, and the Basic Allowance for Housing being factored into SNAP eligibility compounds the issue of food security for military families. As a result, one in four service members currently experience food insecurity (OPA).
Continue Reading Three Ways Service Providers Can Expand Food Security in Their Communities
By Megan Ng “Detox” and “cleanse” are health buzzwords that are frequently associated with the liver and its role in our body. With those connections being drawn constantly, it is… Continue Reading Liver: Just a “Detox” Organ?
By Karen Shirer, PhD A recent study shows how food security matters for the well-being of military-connected youth and young adults (Burnette et al., 2023). Researchers surveyed 1,568 adolescents in… Continue Reading Food Security Matters for Adolescent Wellbeing
By: Lakshmi Mahadevan, Ph.D. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2021, an estimated 57.8 million adults (or more than one in five US adults) experienced some form… Continue Reading Mental Health Awareness: Tips for Finding Appropriate Professional Help
Since 2010, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Department of Defense have supported OneOp in delivering evidence-based programming focused on improving the well-being of military families. … Continue Reading Expanding Food Security in Military Families
One cause of food insecurity among military families is inflation. As food costs rise, the ability to make nutritionally sound food purchases and maintain consistent access to food decreases. In February 2023, food prices were 9.5% higher than a year earlier according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Another cause of concern for cash-strapped military families is “shrinkflation,” i.e., where food and household product (e.g., toilet paper) manufacturers keep prices the same but reduce package sizing or the amount of product placed in packages. As a result, consumers pay more for less.
Continue Reading Shrinkflation: How Military Families Can Fight Back
By Jenny Rea, Ph.D. Arizona is home to 500,000+ service members, veterans, and their families. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Arizona Coalition for Military Families’ 13th Annual… Continue Reading Social Determinants of Health for Military Families in Transition
